U.S. patent application number 13/478192 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for method for selection and routing of an outbound voice call to an appropriate network for completion.
This patent application is currently assigned to EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC. Invention is credited to Carl M. Coppage.
Application Number | 20120230480 13/478192 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41214966 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120230480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coppage; Carl M. |
September 13, 2012 |
METHOD FOR SELECTION AND ROUTING OF AN OUTBOUND VOICE CALL TO AN
APPROPRIATE NETWORK FOR COMPLETION
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments include a method of initiating a call.
The method includes receiving, at a network device over a first
network, an identifier associated with a called party. The method
determines a first security level associated with the first network
and identifies a plurality of networks associated with the called
party using the identifier. The method queries a database to
determine a second security level for each network in the plurality
of networks and automatically selects an identified network from
the plurality of networks associated with the called party having
the second security level at least equal to the first security
level. The method completes a call to the called party using the
identified network.
Inventors: |
Coppage; Carl M.; (Kansas
City, MO) |
Assignee: |
EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
41214966 |
Appl. No.: |
13/478192 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12111472 |
Apr 29, 2008 |
8218745 |
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13478192 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/93.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 7/0057 20130101;
H04M 7/0069 20130101; H04L 65/80 20130101; H04L 12/5692
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/93.02 |
International
Class: |
H04M 11/00 20060101
H04M011/00 |
Claims
1. A method of initiating a call, the method comprising: receiving,
at a network device over a first network, an identifier associated
with a called party; determining, by the network device, a first
security level associated with the first network; identifying, by
the network device, a plurality of networks associated with the
called party using the identifier, wherein identifying, by the
network device, the plurality of networks associated with the
called party comprises querying a database to determine a second
security level for each network in the plurality of networks;
automatically selecting, by the network device, an identified
network from the plurality of networks associated with the called
party having the second security level at least equal to the first
security level; and completing a call to the called party using the
identified network.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the plurality of
networks associated with the called party includes determining a
network over which a communication device of the called party
communicates voice calls.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the plurality of
networks associated with the called party includes determining
whether the called party utilizes a digital packet telephony
network.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is generated by a
communication device of a calling party.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises
communicating instruction to the communication device of the
calling party.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises
communicating instruction to a second device associated with the
communication device of the calling party.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication device is a
telephone that is configured to be operable to communicate over
both wired and wireless networks for making voice telecommunication
calls.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication device is a
telephone that is configured to be operable to communicate over
both wired and wireless networks for making voice telecommunication
calls, and wherein a second telephone of the called party is
configured to be operable to communicate over both the wired and
wireless networks for receiving the voice telecommunication
calls.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wired networks include a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an IP network, and the
wireless networks include a WiFi network and a cellular
network.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the wired networks include a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an IP network.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless networks include a
WiFi network and a cellular network.
12. A network device for initiating a call, the network device
comprising: memory operable to store data and instructions; a
network interface configured to receive, over a first network, an
identifier associated with a called party; a processing unit
operable to execute the instructions to: determine a first security
level associated with the first network; identify a plurality of
networks associated with the called party using the identifier,
wherein identifying, by the network device, the plurality of
networks associated with the called party comprises querying a
database to determine a second security level for each network in
the plurality of networks; select an identified network from the
plurality of networks associated with the called party having the
second security level at least equal to the first security level;
and complete a call to the called party using the identified
network.
13. The network device of claim 12, wherein identifying the
plurality of networks associated with the called party includes
determining whether the called party utilizes a digital packet
telephony network.
14. The network device of claim 12, wherein the identifier is
generated by a communication device of a calling party.
15. The network device of claim 14, wherein the network device
further executes the instructions to communicate instruction to the
communication device of the calling party.
16. The network device of claim 15, wherein the network device
further executes the instructions to communicate the instruction to
a second device associated with the communication device of the
calling party.
17. The network device of claim 14, wherein the communication
device is a telephone that is configured to be operable to
communicate over both wired and wireless networks for making voice
telecommunication calls.
18. The network device of claim 14, wherein the communication
device is a telephone that is configured to be operable to
communicate over both wired and wireless networks for making voice
telecommunication calls, and wherein a second telephone of the
called party is configured to be operable to communicate over both
wired and wireless networks for receiving the voice
telecommunication calls.
19. The network device of claim 18, wherein the wired networks
include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an IP
network, and the wireless networks include a WiFi network and a
cellular network.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an
executable program stored thereon, wherein the program instructs a
microprocessor to perform the following steps: receive an
identifier associated with a called party; determine a first
security level associated with a first network; identify a
plurality of networks associated with the called party using the
identifier, wherein identifying the plurality of networks
associated with the called party comprises querying a database to
determine a second security level for each network in the plurality
of networks; select an identified network from the plurality of
networks associated with the called party having the second
security level at least equal to the first security level; and
complete a call to the called party using the identified network.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/111,472 filed on Apr. 29, 2008, entitled
METHOD FOR SELECTION AND ROUTING OF AN OUTBOUND VOICE CALL TO AN
APPROPRIATE NETWORK FOR COMPLETION, the entire teachings of which
are incorporated herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention relates in general to
telecommunications, and more particularly to a system and method
for call connection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The advent of digital packet-based telephony has created a
situation where many telecommunications service providers provide
telecommunications services, including voice services, over two or
more types of networks. For example, in addition to providing
customers with voice services over an analog network such as a PSTN
network, many providers provide voice services over a digital
network such as an Internet Protocol network. Thus, many providers
are forced to maintain two networks for voice communications.
Similarly, consumers now have many different options available for
voice services, including cell phones, analog phones, VoIP phones,
and WiFi enabled phones. Many consumers have three or four options
available when wanting to place or receive a voice call--some or
all of which may be provided to them by the same provider of
bundled services. In a complex environment of interconnected
networks, calls initiated over one type of network are frequently
completed or otherwise carried over a different type of network.
For example, someone using a PSTN network may be dialing someone's
VoIP telephone, which requires at some point a conversion or format
change between network types. As a result, each time a call is
carried by more than one type of network, the costs and technical
complexities of connecting such a call may increase for a service
provider.
SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosed embodiments include a method of initiating a
call. The method includes receiving, at a network device over a
first network, an identifier associated with a called party. The
method determines a first security level associated with the first
network and identifies a plurality of networks associated with the
called party using the identifier. The method queries a database to
determine a second security level for each network in the plurality
of networks and automatically selects an identified network from
the plurality of networks associated with the called party having
the second security level at least equal to the first security
level. The method completes a call to the called party using the
identified network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing
figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system that includes
a telephone device in communication with a cell network, a PSTN
network, an IP network, and a wireless network;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a table of connection
information associated with particular called parties;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a system which includes
telephone devices, PSTN networks, IP networks, and a network
device;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a configuration of a
telephone device utilized to conduct network communications;
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a base station that
includes a database, a processor, a network interface, and decision
logic;
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an access device which
includes a database, a processor, and a network interface;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flow chart which illustrates one embodiment of a
network category which includes an identifier associated with a
called party that is received either directly or indirectly from a
telephone handset;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a flow chart which illustrates one embodiment of a
process for initiating a voice call over a network;
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a system for routing
incoming calls to an appropriate network connection of a called
party; and
[0015] FIG. 10 is a flow chart which illustrates one embodiment of
a process for directing incoming voice calls to a particular
network connection associated with a called party.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the drawings, like or similar elements are designated
with identical reference numerals throughout the several views and
figures thereof, and various depicted elements may not be drawn
necessarily to scale.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 implemented in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. System 10 includes a
telephone device 20 in communication with a cell network 30, a PSTN
network 40, an IP network 50, and a wireless network 60. Telephone
device 20 also communicates with a network device 70 over one or
more of networks 30, 40, 50, and 60. In general, telephone device
20 queries network device 70 in order to select one of networks 30,
40, 50, or 60 with which to initiate a voice call between telephone
device 20 and another telephone device (not illustrated) of a
called party. In such a manner, telephone device 20 associated with
a calling party can initiate the communication of a voice call
using a telecommunications network based on the type of
telecommunications network that the telephone device of the called
party uses to communicate voice calls.
[0018] Telephone device 20 includes a telephone handset 22, a base
station 24, an access device 26, a network interface 28, and a
called ID component 29. The components of telephone device 20 are
provided for illustrative purposes. In alternative embodiments,
telephone device 20 may include more or less components than are
illustrated in FIG. 1. Although illustrated as a single device,
telephone device 20 may be one or more discrete devices or
distributed functionality implemented using hardware and/or
software. In operation, telephone handset 22 may access one of
networks 30, 40, 50, or 60 through one or more of base station 24,
access device 26, and network interface 28.
[0019] Telephone handset 22 may be any handset, client, or other
user interface utilized by a user to communicate over one of
networks 30, 40, 50, or 60. In one embodiment, telephone handset 22
may be utilized to communicate voice communications. Alternatively
or additionally, telephone handset 22 may be utilized to
communicate using pictures, video, text, email, or other messaging
functionality. In one embodiment, telephone handset 22 is a
wireless handset communicating through base station 24 to one or
more of networks 30, 40, 50, or 60.
[0020] Base station 24 is a wireless base station that allows
telephone handset 22 to access one of networks 30, 40, 50, or 60
wirelessly using any suitable wireless protocol. For example,
telephone handset 22 and base station 24 may communicate using
WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, CDMA, or any other wireless format. Base
station 24 may itself communicate either wired or wirelessly to
network 30, network 40, network 50, or network 60. For purposes of
this application, the term "wired" is meant to imply any type of
communication other than communication conducted over air. For
example, wired may imply a physical wire, a twisted pair
connection, an optical fiber connection, or any other suitable
physical link In one embodiment, base station 24 may communicate
with networks 30, 40, 50, or 60 using access device 26 or network
interface 28.
[0021] Access device 26 may be an integrated access device allowing
multiple types of communications to be processed by access device
26 and communicated over one or more of networks 30, 40, 50, or 60.
For example, access device 26 may allow voice communications to be
conducted over a twisted pair phone line or over a connection to an
Internet Protocol network using, for example, voice-over Internet
Protocol (IP). Access device 26 may include a DSL modem such that
voice and data communications can both be communicated over one of
networks 30, 40, 50, or 60. In one embodiment, access device 26 may
be a modem suitable for allowing communication by any telephone
handset 22 to one or more of networks 30, 40, 50, or 60. For
example, access device 26 may include a transceiver capable of
communicating with cell network 30, an interface to a twisted pair
connection allowing communication over PSTN network 40, a DSL
modem, or cable router allowing communication over IP network 50,
and/or an additional transceiver allowing communication over an
alternative wireless network such as wireless network 60 that is,
for example, a WiFi network or WiMax network.
[0022] Network interface 28 is a hardware and/or software interface
that allows telephone handset 22 to communicate with a specific
network such as network 30, network 40, network 50, or network 60.
For example, network interface 28 may be a network interface card
that allows communication over a local area network, an Ethernet
connection, or directly to one of networks 30, 40, 50, or 60.
[0023] The descriptions of base station 24, access device 26, and
network interface 28 are intended to be representative of examples
of means in which telephone handset 22 may communicate with
alternative networks that are available to a user for connecting
communications, and are not intended to be limiting in scope.
[0024] Called ID component 29 may be a traditional caller ID
component that identifies by name, telephone number, or geography
the source of an incoming voice, text, video, email, or other
messaging communication. However, in one embodiment of the present
invention, called ID component 29 functions in reverse. More
specifically, called ID component 29 may instead identify the name,
telephone number, or geographic location of a user or device to
which an outbound communication is directed. For example, if a
telephone number is dialed on telephone handset 22, prior to the
call being connected, or as the call is being connected, called ID
component 29 may display the name, telephone number or location of
the user or device being called. In one embodiment, called ID
component 29 also indicates the type of network connection the
called party has available over which to conduct voice calls. For
example, a particular called party may only be able to receive
voice calls over PSTN network 40. Alternatively, the called party
may be able to receive calls over cell network 30, PSTN network 40,
or IP network 50. As voice-over IP calls become more common, many
users of telecommunications services may, for example, have both
connections over a PSTN network 40 and an IP network 50 that they
may use to conduct voice calls. In such an embodiment, called ID
component 29 is capable of displaying one or more of the networks
known to be available to the called party. Although illustrated as
a separate component to telephone handset 22, called ID component
29 may be integrated with telephone handset 22. Alternatively, the
functionality provided by called ID component 29 may be included in
an alternative local or remote network device such as network
device 70 with information being communicated to and displayed on
telephone handset 22.
[0025] In one embodiment, called ID component 29 may be utilized to
display a particular name, telephone number, geographic location,
or, as described above, networks accessible by a called party. In
an alternative embodiment, called ID component 29 may instead or
additionally communicate such information to telephone handset 22,
base station 24, access device 26, or network interface 28 to allow
decision logic in one or more of such devices to select a
particular network with which a telephone handset 22 will initiate
a telephone call to the called party. For example, if called ID
component 29 indicates that a called party has both an IP network
50 and a PSTN network 40 with which they can receive voice calls,
telephone handset 22 may elect to use IP network 50 because of a
lower cost, better network performance, indicated preference, or
other reason. Similarly, network matching may occur, such that one
of telephone handset 22, base station 24, access device 26, or
network interface 28 may select a network connection of the same
category as the network (a "network category") of the called party.
A network category is any classification category, type or grouping
of networks sharing at least one characteristic or similarity such
as, for example, the use of the same or similar protocol, being
provided by the same service provider, using the same
communications medium (i.e., both wireless, both fiber), both
having access to the same network, both having at least a certain
level of security, or any other suitable technical, business or
assigned characteristic or similarity. In another embodiment,
networks can be assigned by a network administrator or user to a
particular network category where such assignment is the only or
one of the shared characteristic. In one embodiment, categories may
be digital and analog or two or more of PSTN, IP, cellular, and
WiFi. Network categories may be nested such that there are
subcategories. In yet another embodiment, network categories may be
created in response to communications between the included networks
being of a particular relative or actual cost, type (voice, data,
video, etc.), or quality of service. In one embodiment, called ID
component 29 may indicate that two different telephone numbers,
network addresses, or other identified connections are available to
communicate with a particular called party, one of which is
associated with communication over an IP network and one of which
is associated with a PSTN network. In such an embodiment, telephone
handset 22, base station 24, access device 26, or network interface
28 may include decision logic that selects the appropriate network
IP Network 50 or PSTN network 40 with which to connect the call
that has a category that matches the category of network associated
with the telephone number being dialed by telephone handset 22.
[0026] Cell network 30 is a wireless network made available to a
user of telephone device 20 by a wireless service provider and may
be, for example, a CDMA network. Alternatively, cell network 30 may
be any wireless network accessible to telephone device 20.
[0027] PSTN network 40 is a TDM network utilized by traditional
wire carriers offering local and long distance telephone service.
In one embodiment, PSTN network 40 is an analog network wherein
voice communications are communicated over a twisted pair between a
residence or other customer premises and a switching station or
central office of a telephone service provider.
[0028] IP network 50 is a digital packet network wherein voice and
data communications are communicated using one or more packets. In
one embodiment, IP network 50 is a packet network that operates
using packets communicated according to the Internet Protocol. For
example, IP network 50 may communicate voice traffic using voice
over Internet Protocol.
[0029] Wireless network 60 is a wireless network that is
alternatively or additionally available to a user of cell network
30. For example, wireless network 60 may be a WiFi or WiMax network
available in the same location as cell network 30 or in locations
where cell network 30 is not available. For example, wireless
network 60 may be a wireless hotspot located within a particular
town, community, or facility such as an airport.
[0030] In one embodiment, network device 70 may be a network
switch. Alternatively, network device 70 may be a router, feature
server, or any other suitable network device. Network device 70 may
be a standalone network device or may instead be functionality
included in any other network device. Network device 70 includes a
database 72 and a processor 74. Database 72 may be any memory
structure or device. Processor 74 is a central processing unit,
special purpose processor, digital controller, ASIC, or any other
combination of hardware and software capable of executing
instructions or logic.
[0031] Database 72 includes one or more called party entries 76.
Called party entries 76 each include an identifier associated with
a particular called party. Each called party entry 76 also includes
a network category associated with such identifier. In operation,
network device 70 may be utilised to determine a network category
that a particular called party uses to conduct voice calls or other
communications.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a table 80 of called
party entries. Table 80 illustrates a table of connection
information associated with particular called parties. More
particularly, relative to a particular called party, table 80 may
illustrate an identifier 82, networks 84, addresses 86, and network
categories 88.
[0033] In one embodiment, identifier 82 is a telephone number or
network address such as an IP address associated with a called
party. Alternatively, identifier 82 may be a name. However,
identifier 82 may be any suitable identifier such as an
alphanumeric sequence.
[0034] Networks 84 identify particular telephone communications
networks that the associated called party may use to access
telecommunication services, such as voice services. For example,
networks 84 may include a particular Internet Protocol network
associated with a called party's Internet service provider, a
particular PSTN network of the called party's traditional local
telephone provider, or a particular cell network used by the called
party for cell phone services.
[0035] Addresses 86 may include any information utilized to dial or
address a communication to a particular called party relative to
each of the networks used by such called party. For example, a
voice over IP voice communication on an IP network may have an
address 86 of an IP address. Alternatively, a called party may have
an address 86 of a ten digit telephone number for their PSTN
network access. Alternatively, a particular called party may
utilize an email address as an address 86 for voice over IP calls
connected to them over an IP network In one embodiment, identifier
82 is the same as address 86.
[0036] Network categories 88 include network categories associated
with each particular network 84. For example, a particular network
category 88 may be an IP network, a PSTN network, a cell network, a
WiFi network, or some other wired or wireless network.
[0037] In one embodiment, table 80 may be stored on a network
device such as network device 70 of FIG. 1. Alternatively, table 80
may be stored on another device located anywhere in a network or at
the residence or business premises of a user. For example, table 80
may be stored and included as part of called ID component 29 of
FIG. 1. Alternatively, table 80 may be stored in whole or in part
in base station 24, access device 26, or network device 28 of FIG.
1.
[0038] In one embodiment, table 80 may be utilized to select a
particular network that a called party utilizes for
telecommunications services, such as voice communications. For
example, in response to querying table 80, a device used by a
calling party or a network may determine that a call should be
placed to an address 86 associated with an IP network instead of
using a PSTN network, or vice-versa. In such a manner, the matching
of network categories may be conducted. For example, a calling
party may dial a telephone number of a called party associated with
such called party's PSTN network. In response to querying table 80,
decision logic may be executed to cause the call request initiated
by the dialing of the telephone number to be converted into a call
connection request to a different address 86 over an IP network.
This decision may be made, for example, in response to the calling
party using voice-over Internet Protocol to initiate the call and a
desire to have the called party also utilize voice-over Internet
Protocol to conduct the voice communication. In such a manner,
transitioning from a PSTN network to an IP network or vice-versa
may be eliminated such that a voice-over Internet Protocol may be
utilized to accomplish the call on an end-to-end basis from the
calling party to the called party. In such a manner, any conversion
from one call format or protocol to another call format or protocol
may be eliminated.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a system 100 for
implementing various features of the present invention. System 100
includes a telephone device 120, a telephone device 125, a PSTN
network 140, a PSTN network 145, an IP network 150, an IP network
155, and a network device 170. In general, telephone device 120 may
communicate with network device 170 over IP network 150 or PSTN
network 140. Telephone device 120 may communicate with telephone
device 125 over IP network 150, IP network 155, PSTN network 140,
and PSTN network 145.
[0040] Telephone device 120 includes a network interface 128.
Network interface 128 may be any suitable network interface, such
as network interface 28 described in FIG. 1.
[0041] In operation, a calling party using telephone device 120
desiring to initiate voice communications with a called party using
telephone device 125 first dials a telephone number or selects an
identifier associated with the called party and/or telephone device
125. For purposes of this FIG. 3, such telephone number or other
identifier shall be referred to generally as an identifier.
Telephone device 120 may communicate such identifier to network
device 170 over IP network 120 or PSTN network 140. Network device
170, when receiving such identifier, determines the type of network
connections available to the called party or telephone device 125.
More particularly, network device 170 may query telephone device
125 and/or a network device associated with telephone device 125 in
order to determine the networks used by telephone device 125 to
conduct voice services. Alternatively, network device 170 may have
such information stored within network device 170 or elsewhere on a
network. In one embodiment, network device 170 uses a table, such
as table 80 of called party entries described in FIG. 2, to
determine a network category of the called party or telephone
device 125. Network device 170 then communicates that network
category back to telephone device 120. Telephone device 120 then
utilizes such network category to select its own network for
communicating a voice call to telephone device 125. Once telephone
device 120 has selected such network, network interface 128
initiates or selects the appropriate connection to initiate the
voice call over the selected network. For example, telephone device
120 may receive a communication from network device 170 that
telephone device 125 may communicate over IP network 155. In
response to receiving such information, telephone device 120 may
then select IP network 150 to engage in matching of network
categories by selecting an IP network to communicate with another
IP network.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates one configuration of a telephone device
200 utilized to conduct network communications, such as voice
communications. More particularly, telephone device 200 includes a
handset 210 in communication with a base station 220 that in turn
communicates with an access device 230, which can in turn
communicate over a PSTN network 240 or an IP network 250. In such
an embodiment, access device 230 may be utilized by handset 210 to
initiate a voice call over PSTN network 240 or IP network 250. Upon
a telephone number being dialed or an identifier being selected by
handset 210, such telephone number or identifier is communicated
using base station 220 to access device 230. Access device 230 then
determines locally, or by communicating with a remote device,
whether or not access device 230 should connect the voice call to
PSTN network 240 or IP network 250 in response to the particular
telephone number or identifier received from handset 210.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a base station 300
implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. Base station 300 includes a database 302, a processor
304, a network interface 306, and decision logic 308. Database 302
is any memory structure or device. Processor 304 is a central
processing unit, special purpose processor, digital controller,
ASIC, or any other suitable processing device or component. Network
interface 306 is any suitable network interface such as network
interface 28 described FIG. 1. Decision logic 308 may be any
suitable decision logic implemented in software or hardware. For
example, decision logic 308 may be stored as computer instructions
in software, or may be implemented in hardware by an ASIC or other
suitable hardware component.
[0044] Base station 300 communicates with IP network 340 and PSTN
network 350 to communicate voice calls. In the illustrated
embodiment, base station 300 is capable of storing similar
information to that illustrated with regard to table 80 of called
party entries as described in FIG. 2. In such a manner, a local
directory of identifiers of called parties may be utilized to
determine particular networks used by such called parties for
network communications such as voice communications. Upon receiving
a call from a handset in communication with base station 300, base
station 300 may determine, based on a telephone number or
identifier, the associated network category of a network used by a
called party. In response to such determination, base station 300
may then select PSTN network 340 or IP network 350 over which to
initiate a voice call. As previously described, such selection can
be based on the desire to match network categories, either alone or
in combination with other factors such as cost to a user or a
network service provider, quality of service, or type of data being
communicated. As previously described, for example, while a user
may typically initiate calls over IP network 350 using a voice-over
Internet Protocol, the call may be instead initiated over PSTN
network 340 in response to a determination that the called party
only communicates voice calls over a PSTN network. Thus, decision
logic 308 may be executed by processor 304 to access database 302
to determine a particular network category associated with a called
party to which a telephone call is directed, and may then execute
further decision logic 308 in order to instruct network interface
306 to select one of IP network 350 or PSTN network 340 to initiate
a voice call to a called party.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an access device
implemented according to the teachings of the present invention. An
access device 400 includes a database 442, a processor 444, and a
network interface 446. Upon receiving a call from a handset, base
station, or other device utilized to initiate or communicate a
voice call, access device 400 may determine from an identifier or
telephone number the category of a network utilized by a called
party to conduct voice communications in a manner similar to that
described relative to FIG. 5. Thus, processor 444 may access
identifiers in database 442 to determine a network category
associated with a particular called party. Processor 444 may then
instruct network interface 446 to communicate the voice call over a
particular category of network.
[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a process for
determining a network category associated with a called party
according to the teachings of the present invention. In step 710,
an identifier associated with a called party is received either
directly or indirectly from a telephone handset. In step 720, a
network category associated with the called party is determined.
Such network category can be determined by querying a network or
device associated with the called party, by using a database or
table such as a directory of identifiers or telephone numbers
storing network categories associated with such identifiers or
telephone numbers, or by accessing a home location register,
visitor location register, network directory, call control manager
directory, or any other suitable means. In step 730, an instruction
operable to initiate a call on a particular network is generated in
response to the determined network category associated with the
called party. For example, the instruction may initiate the voice
call over an IP network when both a PSTN network and an IP network
are available in response to the called party having an IP network
available for voice communications.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a process for
initiating a voice call over a network in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention. In step 810, an identifier is
received from a handset. In step 820, dialing information such as a
number or address associated with the identifier is determined. In
step 830, a determination is made of whether a device for a called
party associated with the dialing information can communicate over
a voice-over Internet Protocol network. In step 840, a selection of
a voice-over Internet Protocol network or an alternative network is
made in response to determining if the dialing information is
associated with a device or called party accessible via a
voice-over Internet Protocol network. In step 850, a voice call is
initiated over the selected network.
[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a system 900 for
routing incoming calls to an appropriate network connection of a
called party. System 900 includes a wireless network 902, a PSTN
network 904, and an IP network 906. Wireless network 902 is in
communication with a wireless network 916 over a router 908.
Similarly, PSTN network 904 is in communication with a PSTN network
918 over a router 910. IP network 906 is in communication with an
IP network 920 over a router 912. Although not illustrated herein,
either within one of the networks identified in system 900 or
between any two networks illustrated in system 900, additional
network elements may be disposed such as gateways, switches,
additional routers, edge devices, or network-to-network interfaces
(NNIs). Routers 908, 910, and 912 may be in communication with a
network device 914. Telephone device 922 is in communication with
one or more of wireless network 916, PSTN network 918, and IP
network 920. Although illustrated as being in communication with
all of such networks, certain embodiments of the present invention
may include telephone device 922 being in communication with only
one of such networks, a subset of such networks, or such networks
and additional networks.
[0049] Wireless network 902 and wireless network 916 may be any
suitable wireless network, as previously described relative to
wireless network 60 in FIG. 1. PSTN network 904 and PSTN network
918 are similar to PSTN network 40 described in FIG. 1. Similarly,
IP network 906 and IP network 920 may be any suitable digital
packet network, as described relative to IP network 50 in FIG.
1.
[0050] Router 908, router 910, and router 912, although illustrated
as routers, may be any switch, gateway, MSC, or other network
device suitable for routing or switching calls between the networks
illustrated in system 900.
[0051] Network device 914 may be a standalone network device or
part of an integrated network device providing additional
functionality. In one embodiment, network device 914 may be similar
to network device 70 described relative to FIG. 1. In an
alternative embodiment, the functionality provided by network
device 914 may be included within an alternative network element
such as router 908, router 910, or router 912. Network device 914
includes a table 980 of called party entries. Table 980 of called
party entries includes one or more identifiers associated with
users of system 900. For example, in one embodiment, system 900 may
include the network connections of a particular telecommunications
service provider providing wireless, PSTN, and IP network services.
In such an embodiment, one or more subscribers of such network
services may be included in table 980 and referenced by associated
identifiers. Each identifier may identify one or more categories of
network services utilized by such subscriber. For example, if a
subscriber subscribes to wireless, PSTN, and IP network services,
table 980 may include network categories for each of such networks.
Thus, by accessing or querying table 980, it may be determined what
communication capability a particular subscriber to such
telecommunications service provider has for communicating with
third parties. For example, if a subscriber subscribes to both PSTN
and voice-over IP voice services with such telecommunication
service provider, such information can be determined by accessing
table 980. Although the information in table 980 has been described
relative to a single telecommunication service provider, if known,
information regarding a subscriber's services with additional
telecommunication service providers may also be included within
table 980. For example, a user of system 900 may be a subscriber of
PSTN voice services from one telecommunication service provider and
a subscriber of IP network services and associated voice over IP
services from a second telecommunication service provider. If such
information is known, table 980 may include such additional
information. In one embodiment, table 980 is similar to table 80 of
called party entries described relative to FIG. 2.
[0052] Telephone device 922 may be any suitable telephone device
for communicating voice, video, text, email, or other messaging
services. In one embodiment, telephone device 922 is similar to
telephone device 20 as described in FIG. 1. Similarly, telephone
device 922 may utilize certain aspects of the functionality
described relative to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. Telephone device 922 may
have one or more network interfaces or connections to different
types of networks such as wireless network 916, PSTN network 918,
and IP network 920. Thus, for example, telephone device 922 may be
associated with a particular subscriber of a telecommunication
service provider who subscribes to certain network services
associated with wireless network 916, PSTN network 918, and/or IP
network 920. In one embodiment, such information regarding the
services associated with telephone device 922 may be identified in
table 980 of called party entries within network device 914. Thus,
table 980 of called party entries may track the communications
capabilities of telephone device 922 and the network connections
available to such telephone device 922.
[0053] In operation, system 900 allows an alternative method of
network category matching to that previously described. In
operation, an incoming telephone call is received by either
wireless network 902, PSTN network 904, or IP network 906. When
such telephone call is received at router 908, router 910, or
router 912 as a call connection request, the receiving router
communicates the called party's telephone number or other
identifier to network device 914. Network device 914 accesses table
980 of called party entries by such telephone number or identifier
to determine the different ways in which the called party may
communicate a voice telephone call. In particular, network device
914 determines if a particular telephone device 922 associated with
the called party may communicate voice calls over a connection to a
network of the same network category of the network 902, 904, or
906 from which router 908, router 910, or router 912 received the
call connection request. Thus, if a call connection request was
received over IP network 906 at router 912, router 912 would pass
the called party identifier to network device 914 for network
device 914 to use to access table 980 to determine if the called
party's telephone device 922 is capable of also communicating over
an IP network using, for example, voice-over IP protocol.
[0054] In one embodiment, if a called party has one or more
telephone numbers or network addresses associated with the ability
to communicate voice communications, network device 914 may
substitute a particular telephone number or IP address from that
actually included in the call connection request. For example, if a
call is received from IP network 906 at router 912 using a
telephone number associated with a PSTN network connection, network
device 914 may instead redirect the call to a telephone number
associated with an IP network connection such that the network
category of IP network 906 is matched to a corresponding IP network
such as IP network 920. In such a manner, incoming calls may be
rerouted to alternative connections associated with a particular
subscriber of network services to ensure that no conversion needs
to occur from, for example, a voice-over IP protocol to an analog
format or other format associated with, for example, a PSTN
network. Decision logic may be included in network device 914 to
take into account additional factors, such as an increase in the
cost of a call.
[0055] Although telephone device 922 is illustrated as a single
telephone device and previously described as being similar to
telephone device 20, telephone device 922 may in fact be multiple
communication devices associated with a particular subscriber of
the telecommunication service provider or called party. For
example, a called party may have a cell phone, a voice over IP
phone, and a traditional PSTN telephone handset. Even with such
separate devices, system 900, and network device 914 more
specifically, may still implement the features of the present
invention by routing calls or redirecting calls to a particular
telephone device 922. For example, a telephone call originally
intended for a PSTN telephone may instead be routed to a number
associated with a separate telephone device used for voice over IP
services.
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a process for
directing incoming voice calls to a particular network connection
associated with a called party. In step 1010, a call connection
request is received at a network device from a network associated
with a particular network category In step 1020, a telephone number
or identifier included as part of the call connection request is
communicated to a network device. In step 1030, the network device
determines the types of network connections available to a
telephone device associated with a called party to which the call
connection request is directed. In step 1040, the network device
determines if any of such available network connections are of the
same network category as the network from which the call connection
request was received. In step 950, if there is a match of network
categories between the network from which the call connection
request is received and a network to which a telephone device of
the called party has access, the call is directed to the telephone
device over the network connection associated with the matched
network. In step 970, if there is no match of network categories,
the call connection request proceeds according to the original
received telephone number or identifier, or to a default network
associated with the called party. In one embodiment, call
connection requests to a particular called party may be defaulted
to a PSTN network if no match of network categories is determined.
In step 980, a call connection request is received by a telephone
device associated with the called party and call set up
proceeds.
[0057] There has been described a system and method for
distributing electronic information. It should be understood that
the particular embodiments described within this specification are
for purposes of example and should not be construed to limit the
invention. Further, it is evident that those skilled in the art may
now make numerous uses and modifications of the specific embodiment
described, without departing from the inventive concepts. For
example, particular additional servers, computers, networks and the
like may be used to convey the functions and related stored
information without departing from the inventive concepts.
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